An odorless pesticide
sprayed at a Caribbean resort has left three
members of a Delaware family hospitalized for
weeks after they became seriously ill during their
Virgin Islands vacation, and federal officials said
Tuesday that investigators found the toxic
chemical has been used at the resort several
times before.
U.S. Environmental Protection Agency officials
said the agency is looking into the use of the
pesticide methyl bromide at the Sirenusa
Condominium Resort in Cruz Bay, St. John. The
agency is contacting people, including resort
employees, to determine how many others might
have been exposed to the pesticide, which is
prohibited in residential settings. The Justice
Department also is investigating the company
that may be responsible.
The Esmond family of Wilmington, Delaware, was
staying at the resort when they began having
seizures March 20.
A family spokesman said Steve Esmond, his wife,
Theresa Devine, and their two teenage sons were
airlifted to hospitals on the U.S. mainland. The
sons are in critical condition. Esmond has
regained consciousness, but his sons have
remained in a coma weeks after the exposure,
family spokesman James Maron told The News
Journal of Wilmington. Devine was treated and
released.
"They are confident in their medical
professionals and are hopeful for a full recovery,"
Maron said in a written statement Tuesday. "The
Esmond family thanks everyone for their support
and concern for their recovery from this
unthinkable tragedy of pesticide poisoning."
Esmond is head of a private middle school in
Wilmington, and Devine is a dentist.
Use of the pesticide was confirmed the day after
the family became ill, which has helped inform
doctors on how to treat the family, said Judith
Enck, the EPA's regional administrator in New
York City, which has jurisdiction over the U.S.
Virgin Islands.
"We have confirmed that the problem is indeed
methyl bromide," she said. "Methyl bromide is a
potent neurotoxin. It's a gas. It can cause
convulsions, coma, cognitive deficits,
inflammation of the lungs. A lot depends on how
much a person is exposed to and for what period
of time."
The EPA banned the chemical for residential use
in 1984 primarily for health concerns. That ban
extends to U.S. territories, including the Virgin
Islands, Enck said.
So far the investigation has revealed a certified
applicator working for Memphis, Tennessee-
based Terminix applied the methyl bromide in the
complex while targeting an indoor beetle that
consumes wood, Enck said. The company is now
under a criminal investigation led by the U.S.
Justice Department.
Terminix issued a statement saying the safety of
its customers and employees is a top priority.
"First and foremost, the family is in our thoughts
and prayers," spokesman Michael Wassmer said.
"We're cooperating with authorities in their
investigation, and we're conducting our own
thorough internal investigation."
Investigators also learned methyl bromide has
been used in the complex before, the EPA said,
but it's not clear why the ban was ignored.
"Certified pesticide applicators know this is not
approved for indoor residential use," Enck said.
"The health effects are quite serious."
Sea Glass Vacations LLC, which rents units at
Sirenusa, said in a statement that it has
terminated its contract with Terminix and the
home under investigation is unoccupied. The
rental company earlier said the unit below the
Esmond family's dwelling was treated for pests
by Terminix.
"We are sending our thoughts and prayers to the
family impacted by this tragic incident," the
company said. "We remain committed to full
cooperation with all local and federal
authorities."
The EPA is continuing to test and monitor the
property and is continuing to investigate the
details of the family's exposure, Enck said, "to
make sure it never happens again anywhere."
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